A Libyan security official says a British man and a New Zealand woman were killed with shots to the head on a beach in western Libya.
The Mellitah gas terminal, which is co-owned by ENI of Italy. Photo: AFP (file)
Their bodies were found on Thursday in the Mellitah area, some 100km west of Tripoli, near a large oil and gas complex co-owned by ENI of Italy, and a residential complex.
Libya's security situation has deteriorated in recent months.
Giving the first details of the incident, the security official said the Briton, born in 1965, and the New Zealander, born in 1967, were found lying face down on the beach with gunshot wounds to their heads.
"It doesn't look like a robbery because there was no break-in at their Toyota car parked nearby. It was left untouched until we came," said the official.
"We found the bullets," he said, adding that the two appeared to have been picnicking on the shore.
Both worked for Blue Energy, an oilfield maintenance firm, and had driven to Mellitah in a car registered in Tripoli, the official said.
The New Zealand Ministry for Foreign Affairs & Trade says it has identified the woman and is in contact with her family. MFAT says she was visiting Libya.
A spokesperson said the family has asked for privacy and that no further information be released.
Benghazi incident
In a separate incident, two Americans detained by the army in the eastern city of Benghazi, have been released.
The men, who are under contract to play for the Al-Hilal basketball club, were detained on the campus of Benghazi university and taken to army headquarters, security officials said on Thursday.
"They were released last night," said club president Salah al-Fetouri. "After their identity had been confirmed they were released," he said.
Few foreigners live in Benghazi, a city where assassinations and car bombings are regular occurrences.
A US teacher was shot dead while jogging in a residential part of the city on 5 December.
